Green start for the week

Market commenced the week with an upward turn subsequent to an entire week in red. Both indices remained in green throughout the day mainly owing to the price gains seen in index heavy counters such as John Keells Holdings and Ceylon Tobacco. Meanwhile, foreign activity in the bourse continued with counters such as Cargills and Nations Lanka Finance attracting foreign interest.

Beverage, Food and Tobacco sector became the top contributor to the turnover (due to Cargills, Distilleries and Ceylon Tobacco) and the sector index gained 1.24%. The share price of Cargills Ceylon

NDBIB-CRISIL GOvERNMENT SECURITIES INDICES - AS AT 07-JUN-2013

closed flat at Rs 180.00 with the counter’s foreign holding increasing by 1,438,822 shares. The share price of Distilleries gained by Rs 0.70 (0.36%) to close at Rs 195.80 while the share price of Ceylon Tobacco increased by Rs 29.40 (3.08%) to close at Rs 985.00. Foreign holdings of Distilleries and Ceylon Tobacco increased by 50,000 and 25,900 shares respectively.

Bank, Finance and Insurance sector became the second highest contributor to the turnover (due Nations Lanka Finance) and the sector index gained 0.43%. The share price of Nations Lanka Finance dipped by Rs 0.10 (0.88%) to close at Rs 11.30 while the counter’s foreign holdings increased by 7,696,128 shares.

Diversified sector was also among the top contributors for the day mainly due to John Keells Holdings. The share price of John Keells Holdings gained Rs 8.00 (3.02%) to close at Rs 273.00. The foreign holdings of John Keells Holdings came down by 166,946 shares.